The contents of the booklet were quite simple, comprising only a few illustrations of meditation postures and several pages of annotations on mental techniques. It briefly introduced how to regulate breathing, still the mind, enter a meditative state, discard distractions, and achieve a state of forgetting the self and the external world.
After looking through the sparse illustrations and brief text, Mo Hua hesitated.
"Do you find it too simple?" Mr. Zhuang asked knowingly.
Mo Hua nodded, then asked, "Sir, is this just a basic meditation technique?"
"No," Mr. Zhuang denied, "All the insights and methods of meditation are contained within this little booklet."
Seeing Mo Hua's confusion, Mr. Zhuang explained further, "The simplicity lies in the fact that all the keys to this method are plainly visible in these diagrams and annotations. However, the difficulty lies in the intangible and elusive nature of the human mind. It's not simply a matter of wanting to enter a meditative state or achieve forgetfulness of self and objectivity."
As Mo Hua pondered, Mr. Zhuang continued:
"For instance, countless desires in the world can be professedly seen through, but how many can truly see through them in their hearts? Some truths seem simple; those who understand them see them at a glance, while those who do not may never understand them in their entire lives. And those who fail to understand often delude themselves into believing they do."
"The same goes for this meditation method. If you can truly achieve stillness and rid yourself of distractions, then learning will naturally be swift. But if your mind is cluttered with distractions, no matter how hard you try, you won't succeed."
Mo Hua suddenly realized something and furrowed his brow, "Does that mean if I can't rid myself of distractions, I won't be able to learn?"
Mr. Zhuang smiled, "It's not as difficult as you think. I've practiced this meditation method for many years and condensed the essence of entering stillness into a simple phrase..."
"To be naturally aligned without self-deception."
"'Naturally aligned without self-deception...'" Mo Hua quietly repeated to himself.
"Everything in the world is as it should be. Whether you are restless or tranquil, cruel or kind, even if it seems unbearable, accept it calmly and don't deceive yourself," Mr. Zhuang explained.
"If you can achieve these two points, your mind will be as still as water and as clear as a mirror, and you'll naturally enter a state of meditation to some extent."
Mo Hua seemed to understand and began to study the "Meditation Method" according to the instructions. He focused on meditation, clearing his mind, and gradually entered a state of meditation.
After achieving this state for a brief period, Mo Hua felt relaxed throughout his body, as if he had shed the constraints of his physical body. His mind suddenly expanded, and the recovery of his consciousness, depleted from drawing formations earlier, seemed faster than before.
However, Mo Hua's meditation was shallow. He couldn't maintain the state for more than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before distractions pulled him out of his meditative state.
Mr. Zhuang, who had been meditating with closed eyes all this time, opened his eyes and said, "It's good that you've achieved this level on your first attempt. Once you become proficient, meditating after drawing formations will enhance your efficiency."
"Thank you, Sir!"
Mo Hua was delighted. Previously, he could only practice formations on the stone tablet in his consciousness during the day, which caused him to progress slowly. Now that he had learned meditation, his consciousness could recover quickly. Even though his background was not as profound as those of the aristocratic disciples, diligence could make up for it, and he might not necessarily be inferior to others in the future.
Mo Hua then asked, "Sir, I understand the Meditation Method now. What about the 'Visualization Method' you mentioned earlier?"
Mr. Zhuang reclined leisurely on his bamboo chair and asked, "Guess what the Visualization Method is used for?"
Mo Hua thought for a moment and replied, "Since the Meditation Method is used to restore consciousness, could the Visualization Method be used to enhance consciousness?"
"Correct," Mr. Zhuang nodded, "There are no cultivation methods for enhancing consciousness in the cultivation world. During ancient times, great cultivators devised the Visualization Method to strengthen consciousness."
"Is the Visualization Method different from cultivation methods?"
"The Visualization Method is a simplified, unstable method for increasing consciousness, but it is not a cultivation method for enhancing consciousness," Mr. Zhuang explained.
"Spiritual power can be observed and manipulated, used to activate spiritual artifacts, and wield Daoist techniques, with a clear system to follow. However, consciousness is different; the human sea of consciousness lacks meridians that can trace the operation of consciousness. There is thus no stable method for cultivating consciousness."
"The only way to quickly enhance consciousness is through visualization. By visualizing patterns, texts, or ancient artifacts imbued with the rules of the heavens or powerful consciousness, one can assimilate them to gradually enhance consciousness."
"However, this Visualization Method varies from person to person, with different effects. Moreover, the visual aids for practicing the Visualization Method, even in those aristocratic clans, are extremely rare. Therefore, it is not widely spread in the cultivation world and cannot be promoted like cultivation methods as a stable cultivation method."
"Visualization method..." Mo Hua murmured.
Mr. Zhuang hesitated for a moment and then said with a slightly serious expression:
"Although the Visualization Method can enhance consciousness, you'd better not use it. Even if you do, be cautious and don't rely on it entirely."
Mo Hua was puzzled, "Is it because my talent is insufficient, so I might suffer a backlash?"
Mr. Zhuang shook his head, "This has nothing to do with talent. The Visualization Diagram reflects someone else's consciousness and their understanding of the heavens. In other words, what is visualized is someone else's 'Dao,' or perhaps the 'Dao' of certain non-human entities. Once consciousness becomes immersed in it, there are often extremely terrifying consequences."
Mo Hua felt a chill in his heart.
Mr. Zhuang waved his hand, "It's too early to tell you all this. Just focus on learning formations. Visualization diagrams and such things may not even come your way in the future."
With that, Mr. Zhuang had Mo Hua practice the Meditation Method several times more. As the sky gradually darkened, he allowed Mo Hua to return home.
(End of the Chapter)